Stay in Salinas for Monterey trip?
 

Hi, everyone, I'll be working in downtown Monterey for 10 days this summer. I can get a room in the Colton Inn, which is close by the office, for $119/night. The Colton Inn has no internet access, which is a real bummer. Otherwise I'm sure it will be fine.

However, I would LOVE to stay at a Marriott because it will help me keep my elite status and I love those Marriott points. I can't afford the Monterey Marriott. But I could stay at the Salinas Residence Inn, which gets great reviews on tripadvisor. Mapquest shows the Salinas Residence Inn about 24 miles away from where I'll be working.

So I was wondering whether I should A) stay in Salinas, get my Marriott points, keep my Marriott status, have easy access to a washer/dryer, enjoy a free hot breakfast and full kitchen, and enjoy free high speed internet access -- but have to commute 30 minutes or more each way OR B) stay at the Colton Inn, enjoy being a few blocks from where I'm working, have a free continental breakfast and pay for lunch and dinner in restaurants, not have any internet access in the evenings (ugh), and not have to worry about a potential yucky commute each day?

In particular, I wanted to ask because when I did a search about Salinas in Fodors, in 2003 and earlier, people kept mentioning a gang problem in Salinas. Is that still a big problem? Is it likely to affect me at the Residence Inn? If so, I'll just stay in Monterey!!

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Yes, Salinas has a gang problem, but I don't think you would have any problems staying at the Residence Inn. I checked it out on the map, and it appears to be in a fairly recently developed area of Salinas, kind of on the outskirts. Besides, as with most gangs in our area, unless you are involved in their activities, you are unlikely to be affected.

How about the Super 8 in Salinas.
Is this a bad area?
1030 Fairview Ave

I wouldn't recommend staying at the Super 8. It is close to hiway 101, but not in a great neighborhood. Fairview Ave is in the Alisal area of Salinas, which unfortunately is where the majority of crime problems occur. The Residence Inn is in a nicer area. You might want to check out the biddingfortravel or betterbidding website for Priceline or Hotwire info. I'm sure you could get a nicer hotel in a better location for less.

I decided to stay in Watsonville at the Best Western. The price was right and from the few reviews I have read, it checks out o.k.

I cancelled the Super 8 after some of the remarks I read here and elsewhere.
Norm

Watsonville is about 30 minutes north of Monterey on highway one. It's an easy drive but it tends to slow down a bit near Moss Landing.

Watsonville is an agricultural area and it isn't a big tourist town. It does however have some great restaurants. If you like Mexican food try Cilantros on Main Street. Another great place is the Green Valley Grill on Green Valley. They have oak grilled steaks and seafood with really fresh produce. In Moss Landing try Phil's for seafood.

Esparanza's Mariscos Drive-In on E. Lake is a good choice for Mexican food as well - very casual place.

Ya gotta go to PHIL's! It is worth the trip....but you need a crowd to enjoy it.